84—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, November 29,1980 Speakers discuss challenges in alfalfa production HERSHEY To insure that alfalfa continues to be a major factor in animal agriculture in the 1980’s, it will be important to eliminate the use of low yieldmg, obsolete varieties and insure genetic diversity This was reported bv A. A. Solar hay drying saves energy, HERSHEY - Solar hay drying not only saves energy but also increases hay quality, points out Vemon Vahlkamp, a commercial hay grower from R 2, Carlyle, Illinois. Vahlkamp, who dries 500 How to produce top alfalfa yields HERSHEY How do you production practices of top produce top alfalfa yields? growers,” said John Baylor, This question was an- Penn State Extension swered by fanners who kept agronomist, records as part of the Alfalfa Growers Program spon- In 1978, the top 10 growers sored by Pennsylvania State used a total of six known University’s extension high-yielding varieties, and service. in 1979, a total of five “Perhaps the best varieties, measure leading to high All growers both years yields is a summary of planted alfalfa on well- New technology to give instant ration HERSHEY - Instant forage analysis and ration formulation are being taken directly to farmers through near infrared reflectance (NIR) technology, it was reported by John Shenk, professor of plant breeding at Penn State. Shenk, a speaker at the Forage Conference held Monday and Tuesday in Hershey, noted that a nonochromater-based NIR instrument placed in a van along with a dryer, grinder, and computer software, can not only tell the fanner in stantly how to supplement his forage for a given level of animal production, but also provide information on the cost-effectiveness of feeding different forages. “The formulation from the van computer lists not ony the recommended ration for each hay but also lists the FISHER MO STOLTZFUS TRAILER SALES Call 717-768-3832 between 7 a.m. & 9 a.m. or call 717-354-0723 after 6 p.m. East of New Holland, Pa. Check Our Prices Before You Buy. We Have All Types Of Trailers. ■* ” Hanson, director of research for W-L Research, Inc., Highland, Md., at the Pennsylvania Forage and Grassland Council’s 20th Anniversary Forage Con ference held this week. “It is irr>f>erat'Vf> that we tons of alfalfa annually, figures his solar drying system costs $B.lO per ton for high moisture hay. And, by harvesting at between 25 and 40 percent moisture, the leaves are saved, thus, improving quality cost of supplementing the mixture with com gram, soybean meal, calcium, and phosophrus,” the Penn State specialist emphasized. “The NIR van provides the unique opportunity to in teract with farmers,” Shenk points out. “The operator can help the farmer interpret the analytical results and apply them to his particular operation.” High moisture forage and feeds can be analyzed in seven to 10 minutes. Two minutes are required to analyze low moisture hay and grams. “We believe that an NIR van serving the needs of livestock feeders in a community will be a necessity in the 1980’s to keep pace with rising feed costs and low profit margins,” he said. reduce damage from plant pests through advances in developing multiple pest resistant varieties and by the effective application of unproved pest management programs,” he emphasized. The research agronomist He noted that he installed solar collectors on the north and south walls of his drying shed. Drying the hay bales is accomplished by turning the bales up on one end forcing air up through them. “The solar collector is drained soils. Lime and fertility programs for establishment and main tenance were based on soil tests. High application of manure in the rotation before alfalfa resulted in generally high levels of potassium. Baylor noted that each of the top 10 growers in 1978 made four cuttings. One grower in 1979 cut five tunes, the others harvested four times. The average cutting in terval was 36,39, and 45 days between cuts one and two, two and three, and three and four, respectively in 1978. Mother Nature was more of a factor in 1979 The respective cutting intervals were 39, 36, and 46 days, respectively. AH top growers in 1978 sprayed for leafhoppers and other insects at least once. Seven growers sprayed two or more times. In 1979, the frequency of spraying for insects was less, with three growers reporting almost no insect damage. “We now that leafhopper populations m 1979 were down slightly in some areas. But we also know that the insect management program set up by Extension entomologists has helped top producers keep a closer eye on the build-up of insects in their fields,” the agronomist emphasized. Standard Livestock trailer with metal top sleeper van. Comes in 16.20,24,28 ft. lengths, brakes on all wheels. also noted that we must maintain balanced research programs designed to in crease the value and total contribution of this im portant crop. Andy Bell, ranch manager for J.G. Boswell Company, quality working better than an ticipated,” he said. “Of the 18 million BTU energy available for 10 hours of collection in mid-July with nine fans running, 7.9 million BTU of energy are being used to dry the hay.” The Vahlkamp operation is cash hay. The market is local dairymen. The solar dried hay is sold at a premium of $l5 a ton which more than pays for drying and the investment Saving hay from the weather is hard to figure, but $lO a ton is used. But, an $B.lO per ton drying expense will return $25 worth of hay for each ton. The commercial hay grower points out that dairymen feeding solar dried hay are noting in creases of 2 to 4 pounds of milk per cow each day. This means a profit of $56.80 per cow when feeding the solar dried hay. “Moisture levels can be reduced to 10 percent with this solar drying system. This makes it possible to pellet, cube, or high density bale even in humid areas,” Vahlkamp added. The Farmer Automatic 4 Deck Cage System A system well devised and constructed for an uncomplicated and economical operation, modern and advanced, it will help you to gain your well deserved maximum return on your investment. More layers per square foot of building space, more than any other system on the market today, 10,000 layers per 285 cage row. Lower maximum cage height, even lower than most 3 deck systems (6'B” max. height, 4’6” max width). No special and costly floor or pit construction The 4 deck system can be installed in an existing building, without costly conversion or remodeling problems. Double or even triple your current building capacity. Automatic manure removal, giving an odor free environment, healthier animals, more pleasant and healthier working conditions Higher bird concentration assures a comfortable, energy saving tern-,- perature during cold season. 1 Summer ventilation is easier to accomplish because of the absence of ammonia and other fumes. Corcoran, California, also a conference speaker, said that complete weed is ab solutely necessary for continual production of certified alfalfa seed. "To achieve control, we must think in terms of rotation first, and then the use of chemicals, cultivation, and hand weeding where necessary,” he points out. The ranch manager also emphasized that the future price the farmer has to receive for his production, and the price the hay farmer pays for his seed will depend on our ability to combat the many insect problems we have while at the same time insuring croppollenation. “An exciting aspect of research on any crop is the part of the results that is totally unpredictable. 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